Riverdale, revived and revised
The first season of the show, based on the famous Archie Comics series created in 1942, involved a group of high school students dealing with everyday teenage issues while trying to solve the murder of a fellow classmate. Season 2 continues the drama but brings new mysteries, a darker plot and more characters.
According to Nielsen Ratings, the Season 2 premiere received 2.3 million live viewers and a 60 percent larger audience than last year’s series debut. The Season 2 premiere also brought in more than double the total viewers the Season 1 finale had.
“I’m obsessed with Riverdale!” said senior Sophia Maurillo. “Honestly, the only thing that gets me through the week is knowing that a new episode of Riverdale will be on.”
Viewers have fallen in love with the Archie gang. With teen heartthrob KJ Apa playing Archie Andrews, viewers have to watch him on screen every week. But of course there wouldn’t be an Archie without the perfect girl next door, Betty Cooper, played by Lili Reinhart, or the gorgeous Manhattan socialite Veronica Lodge, played by Camila Mendes. And Riverdale wouldn’t be complete without the witty Jughead Jones, played by Cole Sprouse, eating his signature burger at Pop’s diner.
“I think Veronica is someone to look up to,” said junior Gen Howell. “She’s confident in herself.”
The show is set in modern-day society, but exhibits the old-fashioned lifestyle that was present during the Archie Comics generation. The jocks have iPhones, but drive old cars to the retro diner. Riverdale appeals to a younger audience, but the reboot of the comics allows older generations to tune in to see their favorite comic characters come to life.
“Both the comics and the show reveal the dynamic interplay among the friend group and how they problem-solve collectively,” said WHS tutor Mr. Michael Baker. “Growing up, Archie was almost heroic to my youthful imagination because of his humor.”
As a revitalization of Archie Comics, Riverdale has mystery, humor, romance and drama—a kind of Gossip Girl meets Twin Peaks—that helps viewers get through life’s challenges, whether it be in 1942 or 2017.
“I recently started watching and I’m already caught up,” said senior Olivia Harrison. “It’s my favorite show.”